Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: The Fist Demon's Visit
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Seol Hwa-un's group, having returned to the Sichuan Tang Family, was discussing the Mad Fist they had encountered on the road earlier.
However, Seol Hwa-un himself stood quietly at the back, simply listening.
“…….”
The reason he had so readily faced off against Shin Wol and then let him go was that he knew exactly what kind of sect the Heavenbreaker Sect was.
‘To think it was a sect that guy founded.’
During his time as the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor, countless people had followed him. One of them was Kwon Pae, the founding master of the Heavenbreaker Sect, known as No Dok-haeng, the Fist Tyrant.
He was a man who disregarded all other martial arts and devoted himself solely to fists, to the point that even the Huangbo family, renowned for their fist techniques, had to yield to him.
For such a No Dok-haeng, it was only natural to revere the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor, who had reigned as the world's greatest in fist arts.
After the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor vanished, No Dok-haeng became one of the top masters in the world and eventually founded the Heavenbreaker Sect.
Eom Mu-hwi continued.
“……Even when Kwon Pae established the Heavenbreaker Sect, everyone acknowledged it as a righteous sect. But after Kwon Pae died and time passed, perceptions gradually shifted.”
Dong Ho-won, who had been listening, asked.
“How so?”
“The Heavenbreaker Sect can be summed up in two words: fists and duels. Their obsession with them was extreme, to the point where opponents frequently died during sparring matches.”
“Hmm.”
“As they racked up grudges and faced constant challengers seeking revenge, they naturally came to be seen as an evil sect.”
Dong Ho-won tilted his head.
“No matter how you look at it, I don't get how they ended up as one of the Eight Demonic Sects under the Demonic League.”
Eom Mu-hwi nodded in agreement.
“You're right. But as for why that happened, even the information my palace investigated doesn't cover it.”
At that moment, Seol Hwa-un interjected abruptly.
“It was because the Fist Demon received a life-saving favor from the Escape Life Demon Lord.”
“What?”
“As payment, the Escape Life Demon Lord demanded they join the Demonic League.”
The two men's eyes widened. Eom Mu-hwi asked in amazement.
“Such a thing happened. How on earth did you learn of this, Young Palace Lord?”
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
“By chance.”
Seeing his expression, Eom Mu-hwi quickly realized the source.
‘Right, during the battle with the Four Evils of Sichuan Sects, he made full use of the Hao Clan’s information. Looks like he’s still utilizing them.’
His guess was spot on. Seol Hwa-un had been steadily exchanging messages with Jo Il-pyeong to obtain information.
As Eom Mu-hwi made a face showing he understood, Dong Ho-won asked.
“How did you find out, Young Palace Lord?”
“Who knows.”
“What? You’re not gonna tell me?”
Eom Mu-hwi tapped Dong Ho-won’s head.
“Your head’s there for thinking. Do some thinking.”
“What?!”
Dong Ho-won bristled, but he couldn’t act recklessly in front of Seol Hwa-un.
In truth, he had been so focused on the fighting at the time that he hadn’t grasped the overall flow and hadn’t cared. Naturally, he was unaware of the Hao Clan’s involvement.
Leaving the flushing Dong Ho-won behind, Eom Mu-hwi asked.
“Young Palace Lord, what do you think was the reason for the Mad Fist’s appearance?”
“Two possibilities come to mind. One is the matter of the Four Evils of Sichuan Sects, and the other is personal interest in my fist arts.”
Though he said that, Seol Hwa-un inwardly considered a third option.
‘Perhaps the third is the most likely.’
In response, Eom Mu-hwi replied.
“Judging by the Mad Fist’s attitude, it doesn’t seem like the former. The latter is far more probable.”
“Indeed. The reason I included the first is because he backed off without pressing further to the end. That suggests he might have been sent by someone to scout.”
Dong Ho-won said.
“Someone…… You don’t mean the Fist Demon?”
“That’s the highest probability.”
Eom Mu-hwi’s expression hardened slightly.
“The Fist Demon might come looking for us.”
“Likely.”
The atmosphere in the room grew a bit heavier. That was how immense the presence of the Fist Demon Cho Mu-shin was.
He was a master even more highly regarded than the Blood Shadow Four Armies that Seol Hwa-un had previously defeated.
As a fellow fist master, Seol Hwa-un felt curiosity toward the Fist Demon.
‘Among the Heavenbreaker Sect disciples, he’s the one who most perfectly recreates No Dok-haeng’s fist arts, they say.’
This too was information obtained through the Hao Clan.
At present, before fully regaining his Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor prowess, he wondered how he would compare.
* * *
The inner courtyard of the Sichuan Tang Family.
A massive man appeared before it. Naturally, all eyes in the area turned to him.
“Whoa, he’s huge!”
“Wow!”
But since most knew his identity, they soon wore stern expressions as they watched his movements.
With disheveled graying hair and worn martial robes, he was none other than the Fist Demon.
Step, step, step.
His strides were neither slow nor fast, but with his wide gait, he reached the inner courtyard’s main gate in an instant.
“……!”
The gate guards looked up at him. Their bodies trembled under his immense pressure, but Tang Family warriors were not so weak.
They clasped their hands in a formal salute.
“We greet the super great hero.”
The Fist Demon brightened and said.
“Oh, I didn’t announce myself beforehand, yet you know who I am.”
The entire city was essentially under the Sichuan Tang Family’s influence, so it was impossible not to know. Especially for someone with such a distinctive appearance as the Fist Demon.
“What brings you to our family?”
“Straight to the point. Good. Then I won’t beat around the bush either.”
“…….”
The Fist Demon bared his yellowed teeth.
“I’ve come to meet North Heaven Dragon.”
“……! P-Please wait a moment.”
“Alright.”
As one gate guard rushed inside, the Fist Demon casually sat down on the ground.
Thud.
Seated in the lotus position, he stared fixedly at the gate without moving a muscle.
How much time passed.
By the time the remaining gate guards were fidgeting anxiously and turning pale, three people emerged from within.
The Tang Family’s inner steward, Seol Hwa-un, and the North Wind Brigade Leader.
“You’re finally here.”
The Fist Demon grinned and rose from his seat.
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes lit up upon spotting him.
‘Setting everything else aside, his build is similar to No Dok-haeng’s.’
The inner steward stepped forward first and saluted.
“It’s been a while, Sect Leader Cho.”
As fellow Sichuan-based sects, they were acquainted.
“Ah, it has. But…….”
The Fist Demon scanned Seol Hwa-un and the North Wind Brigade Leader before continuing.
“I only wanted to see North Heaven Dragon, but two extras came out.”
Seol Hwa-un and the North Wind Brigade Leader saluted and greeted him.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Seol Hwa-un.”
“I am Han Jong-il, North Wind Brigade Leader of the North Sea Ice Palace.”
Once their greetings ended, the inner steward spoke again.
“Please understand. These two are guests of our family. We had no choice but to prepare for any contingencies.”
The Fist Demon’s eyebrow twitched.
“Contingencies?”
“Indeed. After all, these two have clashed with the Four Evils of Sichuan Sects, and Sect Leader Cho heads the Heavenbreaker Sect, one of the Eight Demonic Sects. We naturally had to prepare.”
Come to think of it, an unfamiliar sword hung at the inner steward’s waist. Though not widely known, Inner Steward Ma Seong-u was a pinnacle-level swordsman.
No matter how talented, one couldn’t hold the position of Tang Family inner steward without the martial prowess to back it up.
The Fist Demon turned to Seol Hwa-un with a hardened expression.
“Is that your thinking as well?”
“Indeed. Personally, I don’t mind, but we must consider others’ positions, no?”
“I see.”
Rather than getting angry at the lack of trust, the Fist Demon unexpectedly smiled.
“I wanted a cozy one-on-one, but if that’s how it is, no helping it. Fine.”
Seol Hwa-un asked.
“Why did you wish to see me?”
“I heard a decent fist master had emerged among the younger generation after a long time. Thought I’d come take a look at your face.”
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un and the Fist Demon’s gazes intertwined.
‘The pressure radiating naturally is no joke. Indeed worthy of being called the Fist Demon.’
The Fist Demon’s eyes sharpened.
‘Shin Wol was right about this guy. This is absolutely not the level of an ordinary younger generation disciple. In that case…….’
He suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“Hahaha! Impressive indeed. Such composure unbecoming of the younger generation, and this refined energy! Just to check, any thoughts of joining my sect?”
Though the Fist Demon suggested it in a subtle tone, Seol Hwa-un replied firmly.
“No.”
“What a shame. If you ever change your mind, come find me anytime.”
Though he said that, he didn’t look disappointed at all.
“That won’t happen.”
“You never know with people. Don’t be so sure.”
“…….”
“Hmm, seems I came too hastily. Hard to have a proper talk in this situation.”
He gazed at Seol Hwa-un with a peculiar look in his eyes. Then he slightly parted his lips, and at that moment, Seol Hwa-un’s expression shifted faintly.
“…….”
“Then.”
After this brief encounter, the Fist Demon turned and left. It was a situation so anticlimactic it left onlookers feeling empty.
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un quietly watched his receding back.
The inner steward, who hadn’t expected the Fist Demon to exchange a few words and leave, wore a dumbfounded expression before letting out a deep sigh.
“Whew. He really is someone who could bolt anywhere.”
The hitherto silent North Wind Brigade Leader looked at Seol Hwa-un and spoke.
“Fortunately, he’s leaving just like that. Did he really come just to see your face?”
“……He’s an unpredictable sort, as I said. Could be.”
“Hmm.”
The North Wind Brigade Leader sensed a subtle incongruity in Seol Hwa-un’s words.
‘What is it?’
On the surface, Seol Hwa-un seemed fine.
‘Hm, just my imagination?’
In the end, he felt nothing major and merely tilted his head.
Seol Hwa-un returned to the inner courtyard, then around midnight, secretly slipped out of the Tang Family compound. Even the North Wind Brigade Leader was unaware he had left.
‘The entrance to the largest valley in Mi Mountain, was it?’
Mi Mountain was a modest peak south of the Tang Family compound.
Though quite a distance, Seol Hwa-un easily reached Cheongho Valley, the largest in Mi Mountain.
There, under the bright moonlight, stood a man of enormous build. It was the Fist Demon.
“You’re late.”
Seol Hwa-un immediately retorted.
“I’m not late.”
The reason he had come here was simple. During the day, the Fist Demon had transmitted a voice message inviting him for a one-on-one meeting at this location.
“Well, let’s say so.”
The Fist Demon smiled and continued.
“Now I can finally get a proper look.”
“Tell me the real purpose now.”
“Still young, huh? So impatient.”
“It’s already late.”
The Fist Demon readily nodded.
“True. But bear with me. It’d be hard to meet alone at any other time.”
“I know. That’s why I came.”
“Thanks for coming, even if late.”
“The purpose?”
The Fist Demon’s face turned serious.
“First, one question.”
“…….”
“The fist arts you’ve learned—are they all from the North Sea Ice Palace?”